The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday that the Attorney General has been directed by the Cabinet to ensure all documents relating to Baha Mar’s sale and construction completion are made public at “the earliest opportunity”.

Speaking briefly on the issue during a press conference at his office, Mr Christie said it was the China Export-Import Bank, Baha Mar’s secured creditor, and its attorneys, Lennox Paton, who had asked the Supreme Court to seal the construction completion deal.

“Notwithstanding what has been said, we did not, were not, the principal persons to ask the court to keep the information hidden away from the Bahamian public,” Mr Christie said.

“That was a commercial decision made by the lawyers for the bank. Our Attorney General was under direction from the Cabinet that on the earliest opportunity, the Government of the Bahamas  should move to have the documentation before the court made public.”

Mr Christie’s comments are designed to refute Opposition charges that the Government has been less than transparent in its dealings over Baha Mar.

Its parties have criticised the seeming secrecy surrounding the deal, citing mounting public distrust in the Christie-led government amid speculation over the investment incentives given by the government.

Mr Christie said yesterday, however: “We have no difficulty whatsoever of being able to account for what we have negotiated.

“I can tell you this, in the history of this country, that will go down as one of the most brilliant set of negotiations ever done in advancing  the cause of the Bahamas.”

Hong Kong-based conglomerate, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd (CTFE), several months ago revealed itself as the buyer of the stalled $3.5 billion Baha Mar resort.

Baha Mar’s new owner will start the process to hire thousands of Bahamian workers next week Monday, as it targets April 21, 2017, for a first phase opening. Two thousands Baha Mar employees were made redundant last October in the liquidation proceedings.